AUSTIN, Tx.— Rep. Darrell Issa says he is running for re-election, but he may return to the private sector sooner rather than later.

At a panel on entrepreneurship at South By Southwest Interactive , the California Republican expressed a desire to return to his roots as a businessman. "I hope to go back to the private sector soon," he said in front of an audience of about 100. "Anything I say that can help me today … I came to Congress to burn up a four year non-compete, and I'm still there."

When asked about it, an Issa spokesman said, "Congressman Issa views himself first and foremost as an entrepreneur and his experience helps him connect to technology audiences. He is running for re-election this year, but is still an innovator in his heart." Issa, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is believed to be on a short leash with his party's leadership following a contentious exchange with the committee's ranking member, Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md.